Automatic shell door lock



Jan. 19, 1960 M. HUTTERER AUTOMATIC SHELL Dooa Loox Filed lay 20. 1957 vieil 111|,

ATTORNEY m m m AUTOMATIC SHELL DOOR LOCK Martin Hutterer, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Cummings- Landau Laundry Machine Company, Inc., Brooklyn,- N.Y., a corporation of New York Application May 20, 1951, Serial No. 660,139

13 Claims. (Cl. 220-41) This invention relates to commercial Washing machines, but is more particularly concerned with structures for fluid tightly sealing the doors of such machines.

To those who are familiar with commercial washing machine construction, it will be understood that garments to be washed are placed within the confines of a rotating drum that is enclosed within a housing or shell having access doors, known as shell doors. In order to carry out the washing cycle, the drum within which the garments are contained, is rotated. A Washing tluid encompassing a portion of the drum is agitated by the rotating drum. Because the rotating drum severely agitates the washing fluid and actually performs a pumping action, the iluid is pumped out of the machine housing or shell through any openings that may be available to it. Essentially the details of the machine shell are such that the same is of substantially closed construction and therefore generally leakage of the agitated washing fluid is limited.

However, as is known in the Washing machine art, certain openings must be made available in order that access to the rotating drum is easily accomplished. Among these openings are the shell doors that move between open and closed positions on the shell of the machine. In order that access to the rotating drum may be easy and rapid, the shell doors must of necessity be freely movable. In consequence, they are generally guided loosely for movement between inner and outer runner members. The looseness of the shell doors thus provide the openings whereby the severely agitated washing uid is actually pumped in its escape from the interior of the machine shell. It is this area of the machine that has caused the greatest diiculty in sealing. Y

It is an object of this invention to provide a seal about the loose tting shell doors that will eliminate the leakage found heretofore in the class of washing machines as described.

It is another object of the invention to provide a structure that will seal the shell doors fluid tightly, quickly and easily with a minimum of wear on the cooperating structural elements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sealing structure of unique characteristics and operation, yet one that will move the shell door into fluid tight sealing engagement without requiring wholesale modification of existing machine structures. Accordingly, a feature of the invention resides in moving the shell door to form a uid tight seal with the inner runner, a member that is also normally utilized for the purpose of guiding the movement of the door. 'Ihis feature permits advantage to be taken of existing structures of the machine to perform a unique sealing function.

Because commercial washing machines may have more than one access shell door, it is a further object of the invention to provide like sealing structures for each of the shell doors and an actuating mechanism that 'will operate each of said sealing structures simultaneously.

ln furtherance of the objects of the invention, a unique feature resides in actuating the sealing means in a manner United States Patent()F '2,921,710 Patented Jan. 19, 19,60

nCC

such that the same moves as a body in substantially parallel relationship to the shell door, moving the door into sealing engagement with the inner runner and, at the same time, applying a force to the door in a direction as to move the same into a-further closed position.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the structures and arrangements hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a commercial washing machine disclosing the sealing arrangement in accordance with the teaching of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an Venlarged view of a portion of the actuator mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the sealing bands taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. l. i

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a modified sealing band as it would be taken substantially along the lines 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the sealing band taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. l.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the washing machine housing and shell construction is generally identilied by the numeral 10. Enclosed within the washing machine shell 10 is a rotatable drum (not shown) in which the garments to be washed are inserted. A washing liuid is admitted into the shell 10 about the rotatable drum after which the drum is rotated to tumble the garments in the fluid. Access to the rotating drum is alforded by a door or doors 12 slidably mounted on the front of the shell 10.

The doors 12 are moved to and from their closed position as shown in Fig. l by an operator who manually grasps the handle 14 thereon to slide the same upwardly within the shell l0 from the closed position as shown in Fig. l to an open position (not shown) whereby access to the rotatable drum enclosed within the shell 10 is alorded.

Generally, in washing machine constructions of this kind, the shell door 12 is movableto and from its closed position as shown in Fig. l between inner and vouter runner members 16 and 18 respectively (Fig. 5). The arrangement of the inner and outer runners 16 andv 1S is such that they conform substantially to the curved contour of the shell doors 12 and extend for the full length 'of movement of the shellk doors to sandwich theA door therebetween and guide the same accurately during the movement of the same. In order that the movement of the shell door be accurately guided, the pair of cooperating inner and outer spaced runners 16 and 18 respectively, are positioned on the inner and outer sides of the shell door 12 and on opposite `lateral sides thereof.

, When more than one door 12 is employed in the washing machine shell 10 as shown in Fig. l, a pair of runners 16- and 18 abridge Vthe space between the adjacent shell doors 12 to provide the proper running and guiding movement for the doors. However, to one who is skilled in the art, itV will be clear that the bridging inner and outer runners 16 and 18a as shown in Fig. l, are substantially the same in construction anddetail as the runners 16 and "18 to be described in greater detail.

. As previously noted, the purpose of the inner and outer runners is generally to guide the movement of the shell door 1'2 to and from its closed position. Hence, it is the general arrangement of washing machine construction to extend the inner and outer runner members 16 and 18, and 16a and 18a under the top structural plate 20 Vfor al distance sucient to guide the doors 12 to their open position. The spaced inner and outer runners 16 and 18 continue downwardly in conformance with the curvature of the shellv door 12 to terminate inl what is termed a gap 22. The gap 22 extends laterally Aalong the full width i f the edge of the door '12 to accommodate its forward or leading edge therein.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 5, wherein the ends ofthe inner and outerrruners 16 and 18 terminate to V fc'rrrn fthe'gap 22, is for illustrative purposes only.` Vari- Y to a sandwiched plate 24, a backing plate 26 and a support plate 28. The depth of the gap 22 and the seat afforded the'lea'ding Yedge of the shell door 12, is generally sufficient to accommodate a reasonable lengthV of the leading edge of the'shell door seated therein. However', experience has shown that when the washing fluid ,in the machine shell is severely agitated', and pumped by the rotation of the drum enclosed vtherein, thenuid nds its way out through the gap 22 underneath the shell door 12 over plate 19 and thence out through the front of the machine.

In `order to prevent the beginning and continuance of this flow and consequent rivulets of fluid, there is mounted within the base of the gap 22 andV along the top of the sandwiched plate 24, a resilient sealing member 30. Sealing member provides a soft and yielding seat for the leading or forward edge of the shell door 12 when the sameis closed and moved into seating position within the gap 22. The resilience of the sealing member 30 is such as to yield when the forward or leading edge of the shell door 12 is seated thereagainst. This yielding causes the sealing memberr30 to well up around the s'ides'of the leading edge of the door 12' and to form a duid-tight seal therewith all along the gap 22'.

The gap 22 is not the only source of diliculty in cutting off the rivulet o'w of washing fluid that escapes from the interior of the washing machine shell 12. There is also diiculty experiencedV along the sides of the. door 12 by fluid being pumped around between the runner 16 and the door 12, and thence out between the door 12 and the outer guide or runner 18. It is true'that the agitated pumped water must follow a somewhat to'r'tuous path in its escape from between the runners 16 and 18 and the shell door 12 in its travel from the interior ofthe washing machine shell 10 to the outside thereof, but it is not diicult to understand this escape whenM it is recognized that as'previously mentioned, the shell door 12 is quite loosely guided between the inner and outer guide runners 16 and 18 for smooth sliding movement. This loose guiding co-action or cooperation thus permits an easy escape for the washing waterV that is agitated and pumped as is the case of the uid in the washing machine shell 10.

To provide an effective seal along the sides of the doors in addition to that provided at its forward leading edge within the gap 22, there is positioned alongV each oppositeV side of the shell door 12, a resilient sealing band generally identified by the numeral 32. VThe sealing band 32 is generally curved to conform to the contour of the outer runners 18 and 18a which, in turn, conform to the curvature of the shell door 12.

The length of the band 32 depends upon the size of the machine 10, its uid capacity and the severity ofthe agitation of the uid within the shell. That is, the agitated liuid will rise to a certain height within the shell 10 and against the inside of the'door 12. Accordingly it is necessary to seal the sides of the door to a height' at least equal to and slightly greater than the height of the agitated fluid to prevent its escape from the shell 10. Henceit is merely'necessary topredetermine the: height to which the'uid in the machine' is agitated and this height accordingly' predeterminesv the length of the band 32..

, e 'the-band'stmcniresazemploredtoseal th'sheu doors' co-acting outer surface ,of the' door 12.

4 V 12 from the escape of the agitated pump washing fluid in the" interior of the washing machine shell 10, include a substantially L-shaped resilient band member 33 as may be seen more clearly in Figs. l, 3 and 5. The body 34 of the band member 33 extends laterally across a portion of the width of the runner 18 and although spaced therefrom, overlaps it along the surface 35. The band structure 32 operates to move its Yband member 33 into engagemen't with the outer face ofthe door 12 with sufiicient pressure as to move the door into tight'esurface engagement with the inner runner 16. This produces a iluid tight cooperation and seal between the door and inner runner. Quite obviously, movement of the door into sealing engagement with the inner runnery 16 may be accomplished by simply moving the band structure 32 against the door. However, for the sake of providing a larger door or access opening to the inner washing cylinder or drum in the shell 10, the bands are made to operate' in openings in the outer runners 18, as will be described.

A leg 36 of the band member 33 projects inwardly toward the shell door 12 through a cutaway or opening 38 (Fig. l) that is defined in the outer runner 18. The opening 38 is of such lengthwise extent as to at least accommodate the full length of the band member 33 and is of such lateral extent as to accommodate the full length of the band member 33 and is of such lateral extent as to accommodate the full lateral width of the leg 36.

Hence for all intents and purposes, the leg 36 of the resilient portion of the band 33 is accommodated within the opening 38 of the outer runner 18 and is permitted free movement therein into and out of engagement with the outer surface of the shell door 12. The under sealing surface 40 of the leg 36 is movable into and out of of sealing engagement with the shell door 12. In its normal position (not shown) wherein it is disengaged from the shell door 12, the surface 40 is in substantial curved alignment with the inner guiding surface of the outer runner 18 (18a), to form therewith a completed curved surface conforming to the shape of the shell door 12, to accurately Iguide the shell door during its movement to and from its closed position.

-Extending along'the back surface ofV the resilient band member 33, is a stiiener construction thatV includes a first stiffener member 42 positioned directly on the back of the band 33 and spaced by inserts 44 from a second stilfener member 46. The second stiifener member 46 extends beyond the ends of the back of the bandY 33 and is connected'at its upper end to a double hinge means generally identilied'by the numeral 48.

The hinge means 48 comprises an arm 50 that is secured in some suitable fashion to the outer surface of the outer runner member 18 (18a). A link 52'positioned intermediate the arm 50 and the stiffener member 46 of the band 32 is pivoted to both'the arm and the band by spaced hinge constructions 54 Fig. 5

The double hinge arrangement 48 thus described permits outward movement of the complete sealing band structure 32 as `a body away from the outer face of the door 12 in a motion that is initially tangential relative to the door yet in such manner that the longitudinal ends of' the band structure moveV in parallelism. This movement of the band 32, made clearer as the description proceeds, will obviate any possibility of the band surface 40 rubbing' against the outer surface ofthe'door 12 -when the same is moved thereagainst and therefore will eliminate the possibility of wear between the surface 4) and the l The stitfener constructure'42, 44 and"46, mounted y'along the back of the'resilient band ,memb'erf 33, serves to retain the4 exact shape' of ther' resilienty memberk and to provide 'adequate sipport therefor during its actuation as set forth hereina ter. v Y

The'band structure 32 is secured to Van actuator mecha.-

nism atthe other orvlower end of the second stiener vmember 46 at a pivot or hinge member 56. The pivot or hinge member 56 is, in turn, mounted in a pivoted lever 58 that is fixed to a laterally extending rock shaft 60. The rock shaft 60 extends the full lateral width of the shell door 12 and, in the case where there is a plurality of such shell doors, one adjacent the other, the shaft 60 extends completely across therwidth of the plurality of doors, las shown in Fig. 1. Each band structure 32 is thus positively connected by the pivot or hinge member 56 to the pivot lever 58 and thence to the rock shaft 60 for coincident movement in response to the rocking or rotation of the shaft 60. The shaft 60 is guided for rotation and retained in proper position relative to the washing machine shell by strategically positioned brackets 62.

Rotation of the rock shaft 60 is accomplished by a positively acting hydraulic cylinder and link mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and, in greater detail, in Fig. 2. The actuating hydraulic mechanism comprises a double-acting cylinder 64 having fluid inlets and outlets 66 and 68 for positive application of pressure on a piston (not shown) movable within the cylinder. Pressure on the head of the piston in the cylinder 64 will cause the adapter rod 70 to move downwardly and outwardly from the cylinder.Y

Rod 70 is threadably secured to one end 72 of a universal joint having a cooperating end 74. Adjustment of the joint is accomplished by rotation of a clevis coupling 76 which is connected at its lower end by'a yoke 78 to a pressure lever 80. Thep ressure lever is xedly mounted on the end of the rock shaft 60 to rotate the same in response to the movement of the piston in the cylinder 64. Hence pressure applied to the piston in the cylinder 64 moving the same outwardly from the lower end of the cylinder, will Cause the shaft 60 to rotate clockwise, in the direction of the arrow 82 shown in Fig. 5. This rotation to the shaft 60 is transmitted by way of the universal joint 72, 74, the clevis and yoke 76, 78, and the pressure lever 80.

In Fig. 2, it will be noted that when the piston moves out of the lower end of the cylinder 64, the arrangement of the aforementioned elements is such that the universal joint is caused to line up into a linear relationship and the application of'forces at the pivot of the yoke 78 with the lever 80 isalong a direct line; hence, the force applied to the pressure lever 80 is equal to that applied to the piston in the cylinder 64.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the rock shaft 60 is actuated at its opposite lateral ends by a mechanism such as has been previously described. It will be obvious that if desired, and if the construction of the machine 10 is su'iciently small in size, only one such actuator structure need be provided. However, for purposes of illustration, two actuator mechanisms are shown in Fig. l, each operating simultaneously on opposite ends of the rock shaft 60.

Rotation of the rock shaft 60 is transmitted undiminished to the pivot levers 58 and thence to the pivots 56. The eccentric location of the pivot 56 on the lever 58 with respect to the axis of rotation of the rock shaft 60, applies a tangentially directed force to the lower end of the sealing band structure 32. This force causes the band structure, 32 to move inwardly through the opening 3S in Whichit is accommodated and into contact with the outer face of the shell door 12.

`The band structure 32 is moved in such manner, as permitted by the double hinged pivot 48 at its upper end, as to move bodily toward the door 12 with its opposite ends moving simultaneously in parallel relationship. Upon engagement of the contact surface 40 with the outer face of the shell Adoor 12, the door is moved inwardly against the guiding surface of the inner runner 16 as shown in Fig. 3. However, continued rocking movement of the shaft 60 causes the pivot 56 to move eccentrically and :"6 tangentially toward the door 12. This movement is thence transmitted to the resilient band 33 of the band structure 32. Y

The action is such that the contact surface 40 engages the shell door 12 more tightly and distorts while structure 32 continues its movement, in a tangential direction substantially as shown by the distorted section lines of the band member 33 in Fig. 5. The distorted engagement of the band 32 with the door 12 positively moves the door downwardly into the gap 22 and into tighter seating and sealing engagement with the seal 30 and inner runner 16.

The aboverdescribed operation is accomplished without rubbing or relative frictional movement between the band structure 32 and the surface of the shell door 12. Rather there occurs a distorting engagement that tends to move the shell door 12 into tight sealing engagement with the inner runner 16, thus preventing the possibility of washing fluid from moving outwardly between the shell door 12 and the inner runner 16. However, in addition to this seal between the door 12 and the runner 16, there is a further seal provided along the surface 40 and the door 12.

As previously described, Where a plurality of doors 12 are mounted one adjacent the other, bridging runners 16 and A8a may be provided. In such case, a single double hinge structure 48a may be utilized for the operation of the sealing band structures 32 as shown in Fig. 1.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the operation is substantially the same as that previously described. It diters only in the structural details ofthe sealing band 132. Y In the embodiment 132, the body 134 is provided with an elongated opening extending the full length thereof. Positioned within this opening is a first stitener means 142 that is spaced by the remaining portion of the body 134 from the outer stitener 146. Otherwise the details and detailed operation of the embodiment 132 is exactly the same as that described with respect to the embodiment 32.

When it is desired to release the sealing band structure 32 before opening the door 12, the lluid pressure applied to the piston in cylinder 64 is reversed. The piston and its adaptor rod 70 are then positively moved upwardly in the cylinder 64. This motion is transmitted along the actuating structure that then pivots out of linear alignment at the joint 72, 74 to rotate the pressure lever 80 in a counter-clockwise direction.

The pivot levers 58 also are moved with the shaft to lift their eccentrically mounted pivots 56 tangentially away from the doors 12. In turn, each band structure 32 is lifted in a tangential direction relative to the door and upwardly in substantially parallel motion relative to the door'to undistort the band member 33.

This upward movement of the band 32 is evidenced throughout its entire length facilitated by the additional double hinge connection 48 at its top. The band structure 32 moves away from the door 12 bodily `in a positive manner simultaneously throughout its length in the same manner as it is actuated into door-sealing position. Its movement toward and away from the door resulting from its actuation by the actuator structure described, is represented somewhat like the lines of a parallelogram wherein the structure 32 moves bodily through the opening 38 in substantially parallel relationship toward the door with its ends moving in parallelism, and away from the door in the same manner. While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to several preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illus- "trated and in their operations may be made by those skilled in'the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1. In a Washing machine having a' shell door guided at its opposite sides for sliding movement between open and closed positions by pairs of inner and outer runners, said pairs of runners terminating in a gap extending theV full Width of the door, seal means in said gapto uid tightly seal the leading edge of said door when `the same is seated in said gap, the outer ones of said runnerseach having an opening, a band movable ineach of said openings to contact and move saiddoor into fluid tight sealing'engage- -ment with said inner runners, means to ac tiiat'e' s aid bands into and out of contact with said door, and double hinge meansv pivotally connecting one endv of said bandwifh said outer runner and the' other end of said band being pivotally connected with said actuator man's'fpr substantially parallel movement bodily into said Contact nvement with and relative to said door.

2. vIn a Washing machine having a shell'doo 'ded at its opposite sides for sliding movement between op 4 and closed positions by inner and outer runners; openingsjn each of said oter runners' exposing a longitdinally extending portion of said door when the sameis closed, double hinge means on said'outerrnlneryaf longitudinally extending band in each opening and being piy't'ally conneoted at oneend of its opposite ends with said hinge means for movement throughout itsl'en'gth" into contaet with said doorfto move the sameA i1`1t 1lui dv sealing en'- gag'ement with said inner runners, and actuator means pivotally connected'with said band'to actuate the same into contact with said door.

3. A washing machine having a door slidably movable tov and from a closed position, pairs of innergandy outer guide means on opposite sides of said door betweenwhich said door is guided, resilient sealing bandsf predetermined lengths to movesaid door intofsealing engagement with said inner guide means along said predetermined lengths, double hinge means connecting said bands'with said outer guide means, said outer guide means Veafchhaving an access opening in which said bands vare operable to move said door into engagementwith said innerjg'uide means, and means pivotally connected with band means to move the same throughout their lengths simultaneously and in parallelism relative tosaid door,V

4. A sealing band for a wasbingmachine-asfinclaim 3, comprising a resilientmember ofpredeterniinedlength having a back, a contact'surface; stiienermeanselxtend; ing along said back beyond the endsthg'erecf,Y and said double hinge means on at least one of thev ends of said stiffener means.

5. A sealing band as inclaim 4, said stifener means inelding a nrst stiiiener member securedv directly tothe back or said resilient member for atleast the length there'- of, a second stiirener member spaced fromY and Ysecured to said rst stiiener membery and extendingbeyondthe'ends thereof, and means spacing said first and second stiffener members.

6. A sealing band as in claim 4, said resilient member having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough for the length thereof, said stiiener means including a first stirener member in said longitudinal opening, a second stiiener means mounted on the back of said resilient member and extending beyond the end thereof, andmeans to secure said rst and second members to said' resilient member. 1

7. In a washing machine,v a door movableto and from a closed position, spaced inner and outer guidemembers between which said door is guided, saidouter guide members each having an opening therein, double acting hinge means on said machine, a resilient sealing'band pivotally connected at one end to said hinge means, actuator to move said band, said band being pivoted to said actuator at' its` other end, and stepped' means on said band' mov'- f What is claimed isi 8 able by said actuator through' 'said opening intofeo with said door to; move' the sanieiiito sealing engagement with said inner 'guide member. r' 8, in a washing ma hin s in claim 7,' 'said"liinge means including an arm` mounted on s aid ,1 1 er, merriber, a link intermediate said and band and pivbt'ed to said arm andband., 9. In washing machine as inl .clairri 7" 'said a'ctu or including a rock shaffoperable' p ressiire mea s tg rotate said rock shaft, jointmea'ns lbetween said pressure means and Shaftto, ffateihe 1`attr. i11.rsSp9fsSetQ th gpertion of the former, and 'a pivoted lever secured' to'. said shaft to rotate therewith andpivoted vto As aid band tomovethe ends of s aid band simultaneously and parallel vinto contact with said door. 10. A Washing machine comprisinga pluralityflaterally spaced doorsmovable toand from aclosedposition, guide means onopposite sides of each of said vd 'o'o'rfs including inner and o uterrunners, a resilient sealing band Yof predetermined longitudinal extent on )1'Jpo site sv es c f each of said doors to move therespective sides of said doors into yielding -fluid tight engagement with said inner runners, doublehinge means atV one en`d of vsaidb I and actuator means including a rotatable shaft ext'e laterally along the machine and having xedthen lever for pivotal engagement with the other lend-oie ch of said bands to move the pivots of the' same inp'rallelism against said door 1l. In a washing machine as claim` 1 0, o pressure means torotate said shaft, joint means said pressure Ymeans and shaft tonrotate said sponse to theoperation of said pressure 1`1'1ea"n's v` 1 2. A washing machine` as in; claim 1 0, s aid -dors being slidablebetween said runnerS, and seal means c oacting with the leading edges' of s aid doors' and compres.- sible into tighter sealing engagement therewith when said band is moved against said door.

13. A washing machine lj1a v i ng ziY door movablebe'- tween open and close positions', inner :rd'out'-e'i guide means on opposite sides of said door betweenwliich said door is guided for movement between said p'en and close positions, resilient sealing members movable against Said door to yieldi'ngly move srriefy sealing engagement with said inner guide' nin's 'y Y door is closed, said resilient members e'a'chhavinga tact surface for yielding movementaga'inst s'aid` door, stiffener means extending along the backs. of eachf, members and beyond the ends thereof, pivot rnanson eac'l of the ends of saidstii'fenermeans' inluding double acting hinge means connecting'said s'tileni with said. outer guide means at oneof' saidV ends', said outer guidemeans eachhaving an access openirig' inl whi 'said bands are movable tomOYe saiddorint said.. gage; ment with said inner guidel means, and means p ivota'lly connected byV said pivot means withV each o'f said mem bers at their other ends to move the samesimultansly and in parallelism relative to said clseddor afsaid pivot means. References (iltedin-"the file or: 'this' 'datent' UNITED STATES 4PATENTS 

